Author Archives: GARDC Admin

4th Annual GARD Center’s Farm to Table

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The 4th Annual GARD Center’s Farm to Table Benefit Luncheon once again drew a wide diverse crowd of persons from children to proud senior citizens of 90 years old. The food this year was definitely a winner amongst everyone from a sweet spiced Sorrel Mimosa welcome drink ,to a nutty-gin cream soup, nopal salad, roasted leg of pork with pineapple cilantro sauce, stuffed chicken breasts with plantain mousse and rosemary sauce, marlin or lobster kebab, anti –pasta lasagna, assorted breads to name a few. To complete this mouth watering three course meal, goat cheese tarts, spicy chocolate samosa and sweet potato donuts. Does this not entice you to come next year?
All of this could not have been achieved without the many wonderful partners who share the mission of the GARD Center to touch the lives of our vulnerable youth in this Nation through holistic technical and life skills training programs and services. The GARD Center is indebted to the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation as the Premier Sponsors, Agricultural Producers, the Agricultural Extension Division, Fisheries Division, Goddard Catering who led a team of chefs from Jumby Bay Resort, Carlisle Bay, Curtain Bluff, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Flavas Restaurant. And of course the Patrons of this event His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams and the more than 280 guests who supported the luncheon, a sincere thank you.

 

 

 

 

Protecting the Future of Beekeeping in Antigua and Barbuda

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The GARD Center and the Australian Embassy based in Trinidad and Tobago and the Mill Reef fund have partnered with the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeeping Cooperative to train youth in beekeeping and its added valued activities in soap making and bee box construction. Twenty-two (22) participants have been involved in a ten week training course that is covering topics such as:

  • managing bee hives
  • collecting swarms
  • life of bees
  • equipment and clothing
  • business management etc.

Along with the technical aspects of raising bees the participants are learning how to add value to some of the secondary products from beekeeping such as using the beeswax in the making of soaps and creams. Other activities in the project will be the production of some educational fact sheets on various aspects of Beekeeping in Antigua and Barbuda.

 

     

The Australian Embassy has assisted with funding for beekeeping suits, other equipment and the lumber for the bee boxes. The Mill Reef Fund has also provided the funding for most of the trainers fees as well as equipment.
It is hoped that this partnership will go a long way in helping to boost the beekeeping industry in Antigua and Barbuda after facing some challenges which was affecting its survival.

GARD Center Upcoming Courses

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The GARD Center with sponsorship from the European Union with be holding several courses for Youth between the ages of 17 – 35 years, starting in June and July 2018.

A course in Basic Baking and Decorating will begin on Monday, 2 July, and will run for thirteen (13) weeks.  Learn the art of:

  • Bread making
  • Buns (Sweet and Savory)
  • Cakes
  • Pastries
  • Decorating (Icing and Ganash)

Training sessions will also include:

  • Remedial Math and English
  • Life Skills (developing self-confidence; managing conflict; resume writing, and lots more)
  • Information Technology

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

 

Professional Bar and Beverage Service will begin on Monday, 25 June, 2018, and will run for twelve (12) weeks.   Learn about:

  • Bar Etiquette
  • Wine Appreciation
  • Mixology
  • Beer
  • Responsible Alcohol Service

Training sessions will also include:

  • Remedial Math and English
  • Life Skills (developing self-confidence; managing conflict; resume writing, and lots more)
  • Information Technology

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

 

Agriculture Training will begin in July 2018, and will run for fourteen (14) weeks.

Topics to be covered will include:

  • Small Ruminant Production (sheep, goats)
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
  • Soil Management
  • Crop Production
  • Farm Management

Training sessions will also include:

  • Remedial Math and English
  • Life Skills (developing self-confidence; managing conflict; resume writing, and lots more)
  • Information Technology

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

 

Our Information Communication Technology course will begin in July and run for twelve (12) weeks.  Topics to be covered include:

  • Parts of a computer
  • Microsoft Office
  • Basic Web Design
  • Basic Computer Repair
  • Manipulating and Maneuvering the Web
  • Setting up a business in ICT

Training sessions will also include:

  • Remedial Math and English
  • Life Skills (developing self-confidence; managing conflict; resume writing, and lots more)
  • Information Technology

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

 

Additional Courses on Offer are:

Beekeeping.  Learn:

  • Management of bees
  • Parts of the hive
  • Bee box construction
  • Equipment for beekeeping
  • Developing colonies from swarms

This eight (8) week training course is scheduled to begin in late June.

Tentative Venue:  Agricultural Extension Division (Kentish Road)

Time:  4pm – 7pm (3 nights a week)

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

 

Also available is an eight (8) week Soap Making course.  Learn:

  • The Science of Soap making
  • Soap making techniques
  • Health Benefits of natural soaps
  • Marketing, Promotion and Packaging of products

Training sessions will also include:

  • Remedial Math and English
  • Life Skills (developing self-confidence; managing conflict; resume writing, and lots more)
  • Information Technology

Registration:  Ongoing
Fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)
Valid photo ID

Jumby Bay Island Company Ltd Donates to GARD Center

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The GARD Center trainees are beaming at their new bus shed that will protect them from the elements as they wait for their transportation after classes. They are also very proud that they volunteered to participate in its construction thanks to the technical team from the Jumby Bay Island Company Ltd who taught the youth some basic skills in masonry and carpentry. Many thanks to Jumby Bay for donating staff and materials it was truly appreciated by the GARD Center staff and trainees. A special thank you is also extended to Antigua Plumbing and Hardware, VEG International and Argos Cement for their contribution in building materials as well.

The GARD Center in partnership with the European Commission continues in a two year project to provide quality and trend setting training for vulnerable youth, preparing them for the workforce and/or business development, emphasizing life skills, remedial math and English and computer literacy.